Reproduction device



1960 J. L. RICORD 2,936,691

REPRODUCTION DEVICE Filed June 13, 1958 v 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TM kw INVENTOR v Q Jacques Riwrd 9% WWM ATTORNEYS My 17, 1960 J. L. RICORD 2,936,691

REPRODUCTIQN DEVICE Filed June 13, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jacques Ricard 2 M WW? ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 J. L. RICORD REPRODUCTION DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 13, 1958 INVENTOR Jacywskkord Um ATTORNEYS May 17, 1960 J. L. RICORD REPRODUCTION DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 15, 1958 INVENTOR MM WW'I M A'ITORNEYS United States Patent 2,936,691 REPRODUCTION DEVICE Jacques Louis Ricord, Monte Carlo, Monaco Application June 13, 1958, Serial No. 741,930

7 Claims. (Cl. 95-775) This invention relates to a reproduction device for contact printing or photocopying of any type of negative. In more particular, the invention involves the use of sensitized paper, separated from thenegative by a transparent film and then wound, in unison with the negative, around a spindle or spool to receive activating light from a suitable light source Within the spool. The apparatus of the invention is designed to be fully automatic, and to make as many dry reproductions of a given document as is desired in rapid sequence. Once placed in operation, the mechanism is designed to reproduce a given negative without attendance by the operator until the main control circuit is deactuated.

Devices in the general field of photocopying or making of reproductions of a given negative through the use of sensitized paper are today well known. Many alternate types of such units are currently being offered to the consumer. Also, in general, sensitized or photographic paper of many different types is available for use in these various prior art machines. However, it must be recognized that the fully automatic type of machine for rapid reproduction is inordinately expensive. 0n the other hand, the more simplified type of photocopying device that is offered at less cost to the consumer is one which requires a considerable amount of manual attention and physical manipulation on the part of the operator. Such more simplified machines require several distinct operating steps before the final print or copy is obtained. In addition, many of these machines deliver only so-called wet prints; others produce copies which, in transferring the image to copy paper, produce a joint matrix and copy which must be manually separated to obtain the ultimate print.

Another inherent difficulty in all but the most expensive type of equipment involving the principle of photo printing has to do with the problem of time exposure. In the more simplified machines for common oflice use, the exposure time remains an indefinite factor, often determined only by the best judgment or guess of the operator. Machines such as these are wasteful in this sense-that when unusual negatives having different opacities, texture, etc., are desired to be copied, the time of exposure must Patented May 17, 1960 a device of the described nature which in one unified operation and without any manual intervention whatsoever, places a given negativeinto light-receiving contact with a sensitized paper or' film, transports this double sheet to an appropriate cylinder having a light source inside, automatically presets the time for exposure depending upon the relative opacity of said negative, and after exposure, conveniently discharges the finished and dry print right-side up into a tray for ready removal by the necessarily remain an unknown factor, to be calculated only by trial and error and wasted matrices are the result with consequent added expense to the users of the mechanism.

The instant invention is proposed as one obviating these and many other apparent disadvantages inherent in known types of reproduction devices, particularly those that are of low initial cost and suitable for use by the more ordinary and smaller ofiice. Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a photocopying device or contact printing mechanism which, although inexpensive to manufacture and available at low cost to the consumer, is fully automatic and obtains multiple reproduction at a rapid rate and in a minimum period of time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of operator.

An additional objective of the invention is the pro-- vision of a machine of this type wherein the matrix. constitutes the final .copy or photo print and wherein. exposure in the described fashion is immediately followed by an automatic and controlled developing step, so: regulated that the copy is discharged fully dry as a: single unit and without any further step being necessary" to place it in condition for immediate use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a unit: of the described type wherein the matrix or sensitized. paper sheet and negative are never in actual physical con-- tact with each other due to their separation by a trans-- parent plastic film, yet both are exposed evenly through-- out their entire surfaces to a source of light about which; they are wrapped during the period of exposure.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a. photocopying instrument which, because of its relatively. few moving parts (although fully automatic), not only is inexpensive to manufacture, but may be subjected tot continuous and repeated use without failure; in addi-' tion, the simplified nature of the structural elements: involved permits ease of repair, when needed, and as. well, ease of maintenance in the sense of cleaning these: various elements or otherwise adjusting them for efiiciency' during use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following more detailed and com-- plete description thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section view of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating particularly the; feed-in mechanism for discharge of the objects to be.- copied into the light exposure chamber, the developer: roll structure, the opacity computer and light timing; mechanism, and the reversible motor used for operation; of the main elements of the unit;

Figure 2 is a section view taken onthe line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section view illustrating the nature of the mounting of the light source, which is positioned within the negative and sensitized paper receiving drum; and

Figure 5 is a section view of the drum shown in Figure 4, but further illustrating the manner in which the negative and matrix are separated by an intervening plastic film, and the two then covered by an outer flexible opaque film.

Referring more particularly to these several figures, it is seen that the main mounting for the unit comprises two side elements or uprights 2 and 4, each of which are in fact L-shaped for they terminate in lateral flanges 3 and 5, respectively. All of the moving parts of the mechanism are directly or indirectly interconnected with these two frame members, spaced apart sufficiently to legs 8, as indicated.

These frame elements 2 and 4 also carry two casings or housings 10 and 11 so shaped as to be complementary to the main frame and atfixed thereto in any suitable 3 manner. At the back of the unit, and in between the two main frame elements, an additional housing is provided in the form of a back 12 and a partial back and top covering 15 bent to the configuration shown in Figure 3. Both members 12 and 15 are bolted in between the referred to frames by bolts 16.

Reference will now be made to the automatic features of the mechanism, and the same will be discussed in this sequence: feed-in of sensitized paper, feed-in of the negative or the document to be reproduced, actuation of the supporting belts to drive both negative and matrix into contact with a supporting rotatable spool, the light exposure apparatus, sequentially reversed movement of these belt arrangements, development of the matrix, and discharge thereof as a completed copy. The term negative, as herein defined, means any paper, drawing, copy, etc., which is desired to be photocopied. By the term matrix is meant any known type of light sensitive paper suitable for photocopy purposes.

A suitable tray 26 is positioned in the top center portion of the unit between the supports 2 and 4, such having upright flanges 21 sufliciently spaced apart to retain therebetween matrices or sheets of sensitized paper for the desired size. This tray is pivotally mounted upon a stationary pivot 27 positioned at the back end of the tray, the pivot pin 27 mounted upon and extending between the two frames 2 and 4. Under the forward portion of the tray, and attached thereto, an additional rod 28 provides support for a tray cover 25 shaped as shown in Figures 2 and 3, which cover extends around the tray and partially over one of the winding spools. The cover 25 is pivoted on the shaft 28 so that it can be pulled down by the operator for the insertion of a stack of matrices.

It will be seen that the pivoted tray is resiliently sup ported so that it contacts a feed-in roller firmly enough to afford traction at the time of actuation of such roller, the latter causing the top sheet of the sensitized paper to be forced rearwardly into association with the-other elements accomplishing feed-in around the light-containing winding spool. To this end, a spring means 22 is secured by the screw 23 which is apertured through a rear flange 24 supporting such spring means. This spring is made to exert upward thrust or flex against the bottom of the tray which will then be resiliently mounted for slight pivotal movement about the pivot 27, depending upon the weight of the roller, the amount of matrices placed therein, and other balancing factors.

The negative supporting tray 30 supports a belt 40, the latter being of clear plastic synthetic resin, or equivalent material permitting penetration of light therethrough to impinge upon the selected matrix without appreciable diffusion. The referred to tray 30 is permanently afiixed in the position shown by the tubular element 41 formed at one end, the latter being firmly clamped upon the supporting cross bar 32, also as shown in Figure 3.

The clear plastic film 40 is adapted for reciprocal movement, or such movement enabling it to be successively wound upon and unwound from the spool 50. The latter may be of glass or clear plastic, or one of the polyethylene derivatives. At any rate, the exposure spool 50 is also positioned laterally between the two frame members 2 and 4.

Referring to Figure 4, it is seen that each frame is provided with a circular opening sufficiently large to embrace two bearing members 58 and 60 which are mounted between the rims 52 and 54 of the spool 50. These rims are of such configuration, as seen in this figure, as to form flanges engaging the inner side of each of the frame elements 2 and 4, thus the spool 50 may freely rotate in the apertures formed in the main frame, the involved tolerance or clearance being suflicient to permit movement without appreciable frictional resistance.

The outside rims 52 and 54 of the exposure spool 50 are each provided with a central bore such as those indiv of a synthetic plastic adhesive.

cated at 64 and 65, of sufficient size to accommodate a light source 62. The latter may be of the fluorescent type, elongated as shown, and thus will evenly distribute light around the entire inner periphery of the spool 50 and consequently will evenly distribute light throughout the entire surface of the negative and its accompanying matrix.

The negative to be reprinted is shown at 70. A series of sensitized paper sheets are indicated at 75. The latter are fed to the spool in between the clear plastic belt 40, referred to above, and an additional flexible belt 80. The latter is opaque to light and thus when wound about the spool as the outermost lamination of the series between it and the spool, will light-proof the spool and the several sheets wound upon it during the period of exposure.

Both belts 40 and are adapted to be wound upon and unwound from their respective spools 42 and 82. Each of these latter spools are spring biased in the sense that they are in interconnection with two tensioned spring elements 45 and 85, respectively. These tend to constantly rotate the spools 42 and 82, through the respective interconnecting tapes 46 and 86, as to wind the belts thereupon. In other words, both tension elements tend to rotate the spools 42 and 82 in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Figure 3. They thus tend to constantly unwind these respectively belt elements from the spool 50, to be rewound upon their supporting spools 42 and 82. Such is a sequential operation-the belts are wound around spool 50 during periods of exposure, and upon the spools 42 and 82 after completion of each photocopy.

Each belt, at its opposite end, is firmly aflixed to the spool 50 in any suitable manner, preferably by the use This is more clearly shown in Figure 5 where the end portions of each belt are seen to terminate at the bottom of the spool 50. They are further held in this position by a cross bar or fastener 90.

From the description thus far given, it will be appreciated that the negative is positioned upon the belt 40, as shown in Figure 3, with one edge adjacent the exposure reel 50. The topmost sheet of sensitized paper 75 in the tray 20 is ready for insertion in between the belt 40 and the referred to belt 80. As the latter are unwound by mechanism to be described, they thus carry with them the sensitized sheet with the negative in between the spool 50 and the clear plastic belt 49. These various elements are thus wound as a sandwiched layer consisting of these elements in the order given; the glass or clear plastic spool, the negative, the clear plastic belt, the sensitized paper, and finally the opaque flexible belt. Reference to Figure 5 will make this clear.

The sensitized paper is fed into this belt arrangement through a tray or slide plate 93 firmly afiixed to the same stationary pivot 27 which supports the tray holding the stack of matrices. Such plate is canted or angled at approximately a 45 angle to the horizontal with its upper edge curved somewhat and leaving a small slot in between the belt 40 and itself, this slot being adapted to receive separate sheets as they are fed rearwardly to be firmly grasped in between the clear plastic belt 40 on the one hand and the opaque flexible belt 80 on the other.

Mechanism to achieve this rearward motion of the topmost sheet of the stack of sensitized paper is found in the rollers 95 and 96, commonly mounted upon a transverse shaft 98. This shaft is journaled at each end into the respective main support elements 2 and 4. The rollers 95 and 96 are propelled in the direction indicated in Figure 3 and in an intermittent manner, and then only for a short period of time, turning just enough to shift the paper rea-rwardly the distance indicated in Figure 3,

in order that the sensitive paper can be grasped betweenthe described belts. It will be seen that the rollers 95 need only turn in the indicated direction about onehalf'a' turn at which time the paper has reached its point of feed-in.

A-small electric motor for the purpose of performing this shift or rotation of the shaft 98 is found in the motor unit M here but diagrammatically indicated and connected to the said shaft in any usual fashion. The operation of the motor must be timed; that is, at the time the main switch is turned on for the automatic operation of the entire assembly, the motor M is immediately actuated in order that the rearward movement of the sensitized sheet instantly takes place. Since the movement is but for a fractional period of time, the operation of the motor must also be timed to be turned 01f when the movement of shaft 98 is suflicient to achieve the desired result. In order to accomplish this, a suitable timer T of a type known to the art, is interconnected with the motor M to break the circuit to the latter after it has operated for the second or two necessary-torotate the rollers 95 and 96 the stated amount. Reactuation of this motor during a series of like steps where the operation is continued, is obtained through a usual type of circuit interconnection which will be generally referred to hereinafter.

Since the contemplated operation is entirely automatic, rotation of the exposure reel 50, the developer rolls, and related parts, all function through the use of a main electric motor M located upon the base 5. The shaft of this motor is keyed to a worm gear 102. This worm in turn engages a ring or pinion gear 105, the latter being in turn keyed to a shaft 105 which is journaled, upon its inner end, directly into the main frame element 4, and at its other end in a suitable bearing element 106, aflixed to the side wall 11.

' The shaft 105, driven by the referred to worm and ring gear association, drives a sheave or pulley wheel 110 adapted to drive a V-belt 115 through the related parts to be now described.

On one side the V-belt engages an idler 120 rotatably mounted upon a suitable bearing 121, its function merely being to keep the belt clear of the other driven elements.

This driven belt 115 is utilized to drive the developer rolls and also used to drive the main spool 50, described above, around which the negative and sensitized paper are wound for reproduction purposes. Hence, this belt also engages a pulley 125, keyed to shaft 126, this same shaft being one of the two on which developer rolls are positioned for rotation and driving engagement with the exposed film.

' As stated, the developer rolls between which the exposed sensitized paper is passed, are two in number, here indicated as 130 and 132. They are provided with an absorptive, textured surface, adequate to maintain an even supply of developer fluid on the surface. The lower one of these (viewing Figure 1) mounted as stated upon the shaft'126, is in frictional engagement with the upper, roller 132, the latter being mounted upon a transverse shaft 135. Since the shaft 126 is driven through the pulley 125 by the sheave or pulley arrangement, duplicate pulleys upon this shaft 126, namely sheaves 138 and 140 upon one side and pulleys 141 and 142 upon the other are likewise driven with like V-belt interconnections 142, 144, respectively.

Means for application of the developing fluid to these twin rolls 130 and 132 is in part found in the smaller roller element 147 which contacts the upper of the two developer rolls. This smaller application roller is mounted upon a shaft 146 and is somewhat angularly disposed with respect to the other rolls, as indicated in Figure 1, so that when developing fluid is discharged upon the same, any excess will run down between it and its adjacent roll 132 with which it is in frictional contact.

A supply of developer is maintained within the container 150, the latter having a bottom outlet pipe 152 w'hich'is fitted with a control valve 155. This valve is operated, through rod 158, by a hand control 160, en-' abling easy adjustment of the amount of fluid continually permitted to flow to the developer rolls. The fluid is ultimately fed through a spout disposed over and between the developer roll 132' and the feed roller 147, as seen in Figures 1 and 3. Thus, roller 132 is coated with developer fluid by this arrangement, and being in frictional contact with roller 130, the surface of the latter is also coated with fluid.

As a further mechanism to handle the developing fluid, a tray is disposed immediately under the two developer rolls as well as the small roll 147. (See Figure 3.) This tray is downwardly inclined at one end and provided with an outlet at that end and a suitable hose connection 176 for discharge into a container 178, the latter collecting excess fluid, which of course can be reused. The tray 170 has an additional function-to one side of it is afiixed a finished dry print receiving tray 172 extending down to the base of the unit and provided with an upturned flange 175 to retain the relatively large number of copies produced when the machine is continuously operated.

It will be noted that the main motor M is necessarily of a reversible type having a switch S in the feed-in circuit which, adapted to change the polarity of the current to the motor, reverses direction of such motor upon actuation of the switch and control lever 190. This lever is actuated by a pin 200 inserted in the side of the ring gear 105. Thus, assuming the motor to be driving that ring gear in the direction indicated by the arrows in dotted line, the other mechanism has just commenced to operate to feed matrix and negative to the light source. The pulley 110 and the spool 50 about which negative and matrix are wound are of comparable diameter so that one complete revolution of the gear 110 results in an approximately equivalent degree of rotation in the spool 52, such then positioning matrix and paper completely around this spool. When rotation of the pinion 110 has progressed to this extent, the pin 200 will contact the opposite side of the control lever 190 from the side shown in Figure 2. By impingement upon the switch' lever 190, the switch S is so connected as to first reverse polarity and second, to actuate the timer T The timer T is so circuited that it first de-actuates the motor M times the period of exposure, then actuates the motor M again in the already preset reverse direction. The period of time of exposure is that which has already been selected by the operator as the amount of time necessary for proper exposure of the matrix.

In the latter respect, by the apparatus of my invention, errors of judgment on the part of the operator as to exposure time are eliminated since the timer T is preset by a control lever 205. It should here be noted that both timing mechanisms T and T are of a type able to actuate and de-actuate a series of diflerent circuits, all within pre-selected limits or duration. In other words, such are conventional equipment and similar to the timers employed in timing operative and inoperative portions of, for example, washing machines. The latter type can be preset to automatically control duration of various cycles and such or similar units would be employed as the timing mechanism in the instant arrangement. Thus, manual variation of the control lever to such a timer control will automatically preset the same so as to actuate or de-actuate a given circuit or circuits to which such a unit is connected.

The control lever 205 is interconnected with a right angular extension terminating in a curved plate 210 disposed immediately under the transparent belt 70, and hence, in position for visual comparison of the scale located on the plate 210 and the relative capacity of the negative which is to be copied. The curved plate 210 has a transparent window for measuring the opacity of the negative, such Window being provided with adjacent sections of progressive opacities. This structure is of a type known to the art. At any rate, when the section of this window is adjusted to coincide with the relative opacity of the negative, such adjustment necessarily and accurat'ely effects the time setting of the timer T for the required period as fixed by the measured opacity. Hence, when the matrix and negative have been positioned for subjection to the light source, by the motor M the timer T firstly de-actuates the motor M then actuate's an appropriate circuit to the fluorescent tube 62. The illumination is permitted to continue for that period of time (minutes and/or seconds) which has been fixed by the timer T At any rate, at the conclusion of the preset period of time, the timer T de-actuates the circuit to the fluorescent tube 62 and actuates the switch S which, it will be recalled, has previously been contacted by the pin 200 so as to be preset for operation in a reverse direction. Then, and as stated, upon actuation of the circuit to the motor M by the timer T the motor is reversed in direction with a consequent reversal of motion of the spool 52.

With this reversed movement, the two belts (the transparent plastic belt 40 and the opaque flexible belt 80) are rewound upon their respective spools 42 and 72, the slack being taken up by the spring elements 45 and 85, already referred to.

The rewinding or reversal of direction of the two belts automatically returns the negative or paper which has been photocopied to its original position upon the belt 40, as that negative is shown in e.g., Figures 2 and 3.

The reversed motion of the motor M continues for that period of time necessary to re-position the negative in its original position and to feed the exposed sensitized sheet between the developer rolls 130 and 132. After the sheet has been contacted by the developing fluid, and expelled from between these two rolls, it is discharged into the tray 172.

If operation is permitted to continue for the purpose of obtaining more copies, a repetition of this procedure is automatically accomplished by the same timer T After the gear 110 has been reversed to the position shown in Figure 2, where the pin 200 is immediately adjacent the control lever 1%, contact with the latter again has three results: firstly, polarity of the circuit to the motor M is changed so that upon further actuation this motor is again reversed; secondly, the lever 190 actuates the timer T to time energization of the motor M for a short duration, this resulting in rotation of the feed-in rollers 95 and 96 for rearward movement of another sheet of sensitized paper; and thirdly, the timer T is energized to immediately stop further actuation of the motor M after the matrix and negative have been positioned on the spool 59, and then to time the duration of exposure.

It is to be understood that various circuits interconnecting the timers T and T with the switch S, the motors M and M and the main feed circuit, are electrical circuits which can be readily formulated by those skilled in the art. Such arrangements are well known and can readily be adapted to achieve the results expressed in the foregoing.

Accordingly, from the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a unit of the described type which is fully automatic in performance and which is self operating in the sense that the operator need only adjust the timer T to obtain a proper measurement of opacity of the negative and turn the main switch for energization of the various circuits which are referred to above. Once this is done, and of course assuming the machine has been provided with the required number of sheets of sensitized paper, rapid duplication of the negative ispossible. The sequential steps of feed-in of the matrix and negative, exposure to the light source, discharge of matrix and negative, development of matrix and discharge of the latter as a completed, final and dry copy, are all achieved without interruption as rapidly as the exposure time for wound upon said drum.

each copy will permit, and without manual attention or interference.

The moving parts involved are relatively simplified, bearing in mind the efiicient performance achieved by the unit. The equipment is easy to handle, permits use of the most innocuous types of developers, and is safe and easy to operate.

It is obvious that this invention may be varied in many ways and other expedients employed to accomplish the purposes thereof; however, it is to be understood that my invention is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a copying device, a transparent, reversely rotatable drum having a light source therein, a transparent belt and an opaque belt positioned to be wound upon and unwound from said drum, means to position a negative between said drum and said transparent belt, means to position a light sensitive sheet between said transparent belt and said opaque belt, means to energize said light source for a timed period to expose said sheet, a developer roll means, means to drive said light sensitive sheet through said developer roll means, and means to reversely rotate said drum in timed sequence with said light ene'rgizing means.

2. In a photocopying apparatus, a transparent belt means for supporting a negative to be copied, an opaque belt means for supporting a sheet of light sensitive paper, a transparent, rotatable exposure drum having a light axially mounted therein, said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means being positioned to be wound upon and unwound from said drum, a light actuation means, developer rolls for applying developer to said paper after exposure, means to rotate said drum in one direction with said negative between said drum and said transparent belt means and said paper between said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means, means to reverse rotation of said drum to discharge said paper through said rolls after exposure to said light, and means to sequentially time said light actuation means and said drum in said one and said reverse directions so that light actuation means is operated when said belt means and said paper are wound upon said drum.

3. In a photocopying apparatus, a transparent belt' means for supporting a negative to be copied, an opaque belt means for supporting a sheet of light sensitive paper, a transparent, reversely rotatable exposure drum having a light axially mounted therein, said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means being positioned to be wound upon and unwound from said drum, means to actuate said light a predetermined period of time, developer rolls for applying developer to said paper after exposure, means to feed the topmost sheet of a stack of said paper to a position between said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means, means to rotate said drum with said negative between said drum and said transparent belt-means and said paper between said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means, means to reverse rotation of said drums to discharge said paper through said rolls after exposure to said light, and means to sequentially time said drum rotation means with said light actuation means so that said light actuation means is operative when said paper and said belt means are 4. In a photocopying apparatus, a transparent belt means for supporting a negative to be copied, an opaque belt means for supporting a sheet of light sensitive paper,

a transparent, rotatable exposure drum having means to reverse rotation thereof and a light axially mounted therein, said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means being positioned to be Wound upon and unwound from said drum, developer rolls for applying developerto said paper after exposure, feeder rolls to feed the topmost of a stack of said paper to 'a position between said drum and saidtransparent belt, means to rotate said transparent belt means and said opaque belt means, means to reverse rotation of said drum to discharge said paper through said rolls after exposure to said light, means to time actuation of saidlight, means to time actuation of said feeder rolls, and means to time rotation of said drum in one direction and in the opposite direction so that said light actuation means is operated when said belt means and said paper are wound upon said drum.

5. In an automatic photocopying apparatus, a rotatable, transparent drum having a light axially mounted therein, means to rotate said drum, a transparent belt and an opaque belt, means to wind said belts upon and unwind said belts from said drum with said opaque belt on the outside thereof, means to place and maintain a negative between said drum and said transparent belt during said winding, means to place a light sensitive paper from a stack thereof between said transparent belt and said opaque belt, means to actuate said light while said negative and said sheet are wound upon said drum and to time the duration of said energization, said negative placing means having means to operate in timed sequence with said light actuation means, and means to coat said paper with developer and discharge the same therefrom.

6. In an automatic photocopying apparatus, a rotatable, transparent drum having a light axially mounted therein, means to rotate said drum, a transparent belt and an opaque belt, means to wind said belts upon, and unwind said belts from said drum with said opaque belt on the outside thereof, means to place and maintain a negative between said drum and said transparent belt during said winding, a timer to actuate said last-named means when said windingmeans is actuated to wind the belts upon the drum, means to sequentially place a light sensi tive paper from a stack thereof between said transparent belt and said opaque belt, in timed relationship with said negative placing means a timer to actuate said light to expose said paper while said negative and said sheet are wound upon said drum and to time the duration of said energization means to sequentially discharge said paper from said drum, a sensitive paper receiving tray, and means to coat said exposed paper with developer and discharge the same into said tray.

7. A photocopying device comprising the combination of: a transparent, reversely rotatable drum, means to automatically wind said drum in one direction and unwind said drum in another direction in timed sequence, a transparent belt mounted for winding on said drum, an opaque belt mounted for winding on said drum over said transparent belt, a negative holdings means, means to insert said negative between said drum and said transparent belt, means to insert sequentially the topmost sheet of a stack of light sensitive paper between said transparent belt and said opaque belt, a light source in said drum timed to be actuated when said drum is wound with said negative, said transparent belt, said paper and said opaque belt to expose said paper, a roller developing means, said negative being returned to said holding means when said drum is unwound, and means for discharging said exposed paper to said developing means after unwinding of said drum in said another direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 777,097 Herman Dec. 13, 1904 2,653,529 Stover Sept. 29, 1953 2,743,653 Kennedy May 1, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 688,064 Germany Feb. 13, 1940 

